THREE arrests have been made after protestors forced the closure of a road into the Third Energy well site at Kirby Misperton this morning.

Two protestors who locked themselves together and lay in the middle of Habton Road have been cut free by a specially-trained police team.

The two women were cut free at about 9.15am, and arrested on suspicion of obstructing the highway.

Habton Road was re-opened a short time later.

At 8.30am this morning, a 49-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer, and obstructing a police officer on Habton Road.

All three people remain in custody at this time.

Habton Road was first closed to traffic at around 6.30am due to the protests and police officers are at the scene.

Superintendent Alisdair Dey, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “The actions of these two people will cause significant disruption to the local community, particularly as people go to work or school this morning.

“It’s challenging to balance the wishes of everyone at Kirby Misperton. However, once the balance has tipped from peaceful protest to deliberate acts that are unlawful and cause unreasonable disruption to local residents, then we have to take action.”